I don't think Batum will be traded - oh how I'd love to be wrong on that though. It would be really good to have the right to match an offer versus have to extend one.

To be honest, I was almost certain that they'd trade him before the deadline, following the non-extension episode. By not extending him, they knew some teams would overpay him and they could/would not match the offers, which would basically mean he would leave for nothing.

But now that he's starting at the 2, and pretty well, the situation is different : it's not Wallace OR Batum, but it can be both. I see this as a 50/50 : trading him before the deadline to get something if they don't plan to put some money on him, or overpay him (and look a bit stupid if it goes higher than what he wanted before the extension deadline).

You guys think the blazers make a move for a big with oden out for the year? i know the news is shocking to everyone, but clearly they can't bank on him and i read rumors of the blazers cutting him outright.

amir/ed for batum maybe?

Batum has been playing good ball as of late, so I'm not sure how much they'd want to get rid of him. I'm sure Amir would interest them, but they'd want something more than just Amir - maybe a swap of Calderon and Felton, maybe we add in someone like Kleiza and Gray and they add in Oden. Oden+Batum+Felton for Amir+Calderon+Gray+future 1st (top-10 protected)?

I'm so in for that. If Oden finally get's healthy, we'll have two top Centers. Considering how rare they are in the league, 95% of the teams will be knocking at our door, offering great players. That's a big if, but what is the risk ? Calderon is not part of the future, Gray is expendable and one of Amir or ED has to leave.

And we already have tons of youngsters, so a 2013 pick is fine for me.

I don't expect anything major. Barbosa and Bayless seem likely contenders for trades given they are almost certain to be gone after the season. Colangelo has already traded Calderon once, so I doubt he'd hesitate to do so again though I don't know if Calderon fetches you anything you really need long term.

I just think that with the state of the NBA right now (handful of contenders, 15 rebuilding teams) it's hard to do deals for vets except to the contenders and the return from those teams is unlikely to be that great. I think in the offseason better deals are there as more teams are in play.

The only major move would be Bargs but he's injured, he's their best player, you need a big return on him and he's not a proven playoff guy. Can't see getting value for him at this point.

Morris still has a LOT to learn in terms of being a true point guard. You say low risk, high reward - Morris at best could be a solid bench/rotational player. This team needs a guy on the court who will be a calming influence to these young players. Trading Calderon for Morris and a very low 1st round selection is called selling very low.

I agree.

We need good stater-quality players and it's highly doubtful either Morris or a late first round pick will amount to more than solid backups, if we are very lucky. Trading one of our starter-quality player for bench players is a losing recipe in my opinion.

I'm so in for that. If Oden finally get's healthy, we'll have two top Centers. Considering how rare they are in the league, 95% of the teams will be knocking at our door, offering great players. That's a big if, but what is the risk ? Calderon is not part of the future, Gray is expendable and one of Amir or ED has to leave.

And we already have tons of youngsters, so a 2013 pick is fine for me.

We do realize that Oden is likely never going to play a full season in the NBA right?

There's also one other point I am going to raise cause it hasn't been yet (as far as I can see): do we really want Colangelo making big moves? From an organizational perspective, it might be better to just use the 2012 on the BPA, make some minor deals (e.g. Barbosa, Bayless, Amir) and go into 2013 with Val, Bargs, 2012 1st, Derozan, Calderon and bench filler. Let it play out. If it fails, hand the reins to a new GM who will have some assets to work with going forward. Obviously, I say this as someone who has absolutely no confidence in this front office but, so far, I am fairly unimpressed with this rebuild, the talent they have, and the drafts picks that have been made. I really don't feel comfortable having Colangelo hand out $ in free agency this summer and bringing in FAs or making significant trades.

We need good stater-quality players and it's highly doubtful either Morris or a late first round pick will amount to more than solid backups, if we are very lucky. Trading one of our starter-quality player for bench players is a losing recipe in my opinion.

Again, my assumption is something gets done through free agency or trade (most likely trade) with the extra cap space. You can only take back a rookie contracts, expiring contracts, and draft picks to get that space.

If Jose is moved to a contender like Dallas, Boston, Miami, or something of that sort. I want prospect guards back. Roddy Beabois, Avery Bradley and a pick, or Norris Cole or something like that. Prospect guards or draft picks is what I'm looking at if we are thinking of moving Calderon. Which I hope they don't do until off-season really.

Barbosa is playing inconsistently right now, but it doesn't matter due to the fact he's a veteran that can easily put up 16-20 points easily and change the pace of a game. So another contender is in place for him, or a package along with one of our power forwards would do a trick. Maybe grad a third team to grab a return player, money, draft.

These are major changes, but like I said, if there are going to be major changes, it's going to be with guys who aren't within the core of the rebuilding process i.e Demar/Andrea/Amir or Ed/JJ/Bayless

Do as all teams that have a difficult time attracting star free agents do and tread carefully. Stock pile draft picks like Minnesota and maintain cap flexibility like Indiana did and strike when the time is right. I suppose this would fall under the minor change option.

Do as all teams that have a difficult time attracting star free agents do and tread carefully. Stock pile draft picks like Minnesota and maintain cap flexibility like Indiana did and strike when the time is right. I suppose this would fall under the minor change option.

Yeah I really like how they were able to pick up David West, and package a deal with George Hill.
I like this idea of doing that, especially with Val coming in, and our upcoming draft pick will most definitely be intriguing.

Again, my assumption is something gets done through free agency or trade (most likely trade) with the extra cap space. You can only take back a rookie contracts, expiring contracts, and draft picks to get that space.

I disagree with the approach.

Toronto is not a choice destination for free agents and frankly, I would rather Colangelo be not tempted to make another Turk-like signing because he has cap space to spare and with the clock ticking on his contract renewal.

The Raptors can always amnesty Calderon if Superman or Deron Williams want to sign with the Raptors. I like Jose but a superstar he is not.

Trade Barbosa, Davis, DeRozan (If we can get Chandler ... if not keep him) and Bayless for draft picks, cap space, and bench.

We should get a top 5 pick this year and a decent cap space after this.

What you think????

Kleiza is not a starting three, he isn't even a starting three over JJ, and B.C wouldn't trade Demar unless it was for someone like O.J Mayo or Rudy Gay.

That team is just as good as the one we have now, maybe 2 or 3 more wins. Keep Bayless and Derozan.

Trade away Calderon, Barbosa, and either one of the young PF's, whichever one has the higher trade value. Try and get a lottery pick 14-up because no one is going to give the top 14 pick out especially with the players we have to offer.

If we can grab Chandler make him the sixth man off the bench behind MKG or Barnes/Derozan. Ship Kleiza for a shooter? Or a veteran point guard OTHER than Anthony Carter, maybe sign bibby in the off-season cause he's on a 1 year contract with NY.

Kleiza is not a starting three, he isn't even a starting three over JJ, and B.C wouldn't trade Demar unless it was for someone like O.J Mayo or Rudy Gay.

That team is just as good as the one we have now, maybe 2 or 3 more wins. Keep Bayless and Derozan.

Trade away Calderon, Barbosa, and either one of the young PF's, whichever one has the higher trade value. Try and get a lottery pick 14-up because no one is going to give the top 14 pick out especially with the players we have to offer.

If we can grab Chandler make him the sixth man off the bench behind MKG or Barnes/Derozan. Ship Kleiza for a shooter? Or a veteran point guard OTHER than Anthony Carter, maybe sign bibby in the off-season cause he's on a 1 year contract with NY.

Any 2012-2013 Raptors team that features Bayless as the starting PG, is an epic fail before the season even tips off!

I agree with your thoughts on DeRozan, Barbosa and one of Davis/Amir.

I'm so torn on Calderon. For me, I'd only trade him in an exceptional deal, because I think he would be great running a starting lineup featuring Valanciunas, Bargnani, Barnes/MKG and DeRozan (or Gay/Mayo, if I could dream big). I also think he would be valuable as a mentor for a young pass-first PG (and no, Bayless will never be that player).

As for Chandler, I fear that some team will overpay for him so much, that he will be paid way too much to be a sixth man. Especially at a position where the Raptors would have Barnes/MKG, JJ and Kleiza.

And for the record, the proper spelling of the starting PF in your proposed lineup is "Bargnani". Show a little respect.

Any 2012-2013 Raptors team that features Bayless as the starting PG, is an epic fail before the season even tips off!

I agree with your thoughts on DeRozan, Barbosa and one of Davis/Amir.

I'm so torn on Calderon. For me, I'd only trade him in an exceptional deal, because I think he would be great running a starting lineup featuring Valanciunas, Bargnani, Barnes/MKG and DeRozan (or Gay/Mayo, if I could dream big). I also think he would be valuable as a mentor for a young pass-first PG (and no, Bayless will never be that player).

As for Chandler, I fear that some team will overpay for him so much, that he will be paid way too much to be a sixth man. Especially at a position where the Raptors would have Barnes/MKG, JJ and Kleiza.

And for the record, the proper spelling of the starting PF in your proposed lineup is "Bargnani". Show a little respect.

Primo pasta and sauce is what propels Bargnani to be so damn good.

Bayless has shown his potential to run the team very well. I.e last season vs the Knicks when he has like 20 points and 8 assists or something like that, when Jose was injured last season, he stepped up and did what he was told to do. And since this team is looking at young guys, from the ground up, Bayless may not BE the Ideal guy, but with his potential, he can be He just hasn't had the opportunity to "Jeremy Lin."

I agree with your Chandler point, with Casey coaching and BC there, Chandler isn't starting over Demar or MKG/Barnes.

Toronto is not a choice destination for free agents and frankly, I would rather Colangelo be not tempted to make another Turk-like signing because he has cap space to spare and with the clock ticking on his contract renewal.

The Raptors can always amnesty Calderon if Superman or Deron Williams want to sign with the Raptors. I like Jose but a superstar he is not.

How many times does one have to remind people you can do more with cap space than sign free agents?

In this post I even say: '...something gets done through free agency or trade (most likely trade) with the extra cap space.'

I don't mean to snap but cap space is not strictly for free agency. And I 100% agree Toronto is not a choice destination for free agents which is why, I feel, a trade is the route to go.